Slain Soldier Remembered By Friends

Just a few months after Reed High School graduate Lance CorporalDonald Cline died in battle, fellow alumnus Captain Joshua Byers hasmet the same fate.

The Department of Defense confirms he was killed Wednesday when his convoy was ambushed in northern Iraq.

On Friday, I met with friends and former teachers who remember Byersfrom his high school days.

"There is nothing that I can do or we can do to erase the loss forparents losing a son. But the one thing we can do is never forget thesacrifice made by Josh Byers," said Senator Harry Reid.

He was remembered throughout the state.

Twenty-nine-year-old Joshua Byers was a son, a brother, a husband, and a great student, according to friend Jessie Jobe.

"The students liked him as well as the other staff members. You have to be pretty special to win a unit like that I think," Jobe said.

Jobe's husband was Byers' commanding ROTC officer at Reed HighSchool. The star student was promoted his senior year in 1992 to thehighest honor - Cadet Commander.

Soon after graduation his future began. Byers attended West PointAcademy and graduated in 1996 - he then worked throughout the UnitedStates as an officer with the Army before he ended up stationed inFort Carson, Colorado.

Soon he was deployed with the Cavalry Regiment to Iraq where Captain Byers met his fate.

A fate leaving only memories.

"Loving, caring, respectful. I think he got that from his parents and avery responsible young man. Straight and narrow, always stood very tall always had a smile for you and a handshake," Jobe said.

It was a handshake many say they will never forget.

Captain Josh Byers leaves behind a wife in Colorado, two bothersin Nashville, and his parents, who are missionaries living in Guam.

A memorial service will be held in Fort Carson, Colorado next Wednesday.

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